If you only have room for one appliance, a washer-dryer lets you wash and dry at home, provided you match the load size to its drying capacity. If you have space for a second appliance or a compatible stacking setup, consider a separate tumble dryer if you regularly dry full loads. A clothes airer is another option if you can temporarily set it up in a well-ventilated room. In every case, check the dimensions and practical requirements against your home.
If two machines won’t fit in your kitchen, bathroom or utility cupboard, a washer-dryer is worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir points out that its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. Check that you can dry your usual loads without routinely having to split them.
If you do have room for a second appliance, or a stacking setup permitted by the manuals, compare separate tumble dryers by their drying capacity and dimensions. You should only consider stacking after checking that both appliances and the installation are compatible.
If you can free up a well-ventilated room while your clothes dry, an airer may do the job without the need for another appliance. However, ADEME notes that drying clothes indoors adds moisture to the air, so ventilation should be part of your decision.
First, work out whether you can fit one or two appliances, or leave an airer open while your clothes dry. Then compare the amount of laundry you actually need to dry with the practical considerations of each option.
Consider it: when you only have room for one appliance and your loads are within the stated drying capacity.
Bear in mind: you may need to split a full wash load before drying it. Cycle times also vary by programme and model. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this potential difference between washing and drying capacities.
Consider it: if you can fit a second appliance and regularly dry large loads.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for it. If you plan to stack it, check the manuals to confirm that this setup is permitted.
Consider it: if you can use a well-ventilated room temporarily while your clothes dry.
Bear in mind: an airer takes up space, and damp clothes increase indoor humidity, as ADEME points out.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space required | Measure the height, width and depth, then check the clearances specified in the manual. For a stacked setup, make sure the installation is compatible. | In a narrow kitchen or bathroom, I need to fit the appliance without blocking a cupboard or walkway; around 36% of consumers would make the space it takes up their main concern. |
| Drying capacity | Compare the washing and drying capacities in kg: they can differ on a washer-dryer. Make sure the drying capacity matches your usual loads. | If I often dry a whole wash load, having to take out damp clothes would disrupt my routine; around 29% of consumers would put drying capacity first. |
| Time and maintenance | Check the energy and cycle information for the exact model, along with the maintenance tasks specified in its manual. | If I dry clothes often, I want to know how long the programme takes and what maintenance it involves; around 21% of consumers would prioritise these practical considerations. |
| Air-drying on a clothes airer | Check that you can temporarily leave the airer set up in a well-ventilated room or one with suitable extraction. | If I can free up a room while my clothes dry, I’d rather consider an airer before installing an appliance; for around 14% of consumers, this would be the priority. |
A machine may be able to wash more laundry than it can dry. As UFC-Que Choisir explains, you may then need to split a full load across several drying cycles.
Check both capacities in kg and choose based on how much laundry you want to dry at once.
An appliance that’s narrow enough may still be too deep to fit under a worktop or between two cupboards.
Measure all three dimensions and compare them with the exact model’s measurements and the clearances specified in its manual.
ADEME reminds us that air-drying clothes adds moisture to the room. This is especially important if the airer will be left open in a poorly ventilated space.
Before choosing this option, make sure you have a well-ventilated room or suitable extraction.
Cycle times and energy use depend on the programme and model, among other things. Comparing appliances by washing capacity alone doesn’t tell you how well they dry. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these factors in its washer-dryer tests.
For the models you’re considering, check the relevant energy label and product information, then consult the manual for programmes and maintenance.
Worth considering if you have room for a separate heat pump tumble dryer.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a washer-dryer and want a clear distinction between its two capacities.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a washer-dryer and only have space for one appliance.
Worth considering if a separate heat pump tumble dryer is an option.
Not necessarily: drying capacity may be lower than washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. To run both cycles without taking out any clothes, stick to the drying capacity stated in the product information for the exact model.
Check the relevant energy label and product information for the category and model you’re considering, paying particular attention to the data that reflects how you plan to use the drying function. The DGCCRF states that energy labels and product information must be written in French.
Only if you can manage the space it takes up and ensure adequate ventilation. ADEME points out that drying clothes indoors adds moisture to the air, so choose a well-ventilated room or one with suitable extraction.
The maintenance required depends on the model and its technology. Before choosing, check the manual to find out how to maintain the filters, drawer, seal and, if fitted, condenser system.